Factors Associated with Osteoporosis Screening and Recommendations for Osteoporosis Screening in Older Adults

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND

Osteoporosis screening rates are low, and it is unclear which patient factors are associated with screening and physician recommendations for screening.

OBJECTIVE

To identify patient characteristics associated with osteoporosis screening recommendations and receipt of screening in older adults.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional mailed survey.

PARTICIPANTS

Women and men ≥60 years old living in or near western Pennsylvania.

MEASUREMENTS

Sociodemographic characteristics and osteoporosis-related data, including risk factors, physician recommendations for screening, and receipt of screening. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to determine odds ratios for receipt of screening and screening recommendations for individuals with particular osteoporosis risk factors, adjusting for sociodemographic and other risk factors.

RESULTS

Surveys were completed by 1,268 of the 1,830 adults to whom surveys were mailed (69.3%). Most respondents were white (92.9%), female (58.7%), and believed they were in good to excellent health (88.2%). Only 47.6% said their physician recommended osteoporosis screening, and 62.6% of all respondents reported being screened. Screening recommendations were less likely for older respondents than younger ones (OR, 0.87 per 5-year increase in age; 95% CI, 0.77–0.97). Individuals with osteoporosis risk factors of a history of oral steroid use for >1 month, height loss >2.54 cm, or history of low-trauma fracture were no more likely to report screening recommendations than individuals without these characteristics. Receipt of screening was no more likely for more elderly respondents or respondents with a history of oral steroid use for >1 month than for respondents without these characteristics.

CONCLUSIONS

Individuals with several known osteoporosis risk factors are not being sufficiently targeted for screening.

Kanis JA on behalf of the World Health Organization Scientific Group. Assessment of Osteoporosis at the Primary Health Care Level. 2008 Technical Report. University of Sheffield, UK: WHO Collaborating Center; 2008.